What California's New Law Allows You to Do
California's Ignition Interlock Device (IID) law, which took effect on January 1, 2019, changed how license suspension works for certain drivers. Instead of a full suspension that bars you from driving entirely, you may now be able to get a restricted license that lets you drive to work, school, court, medical appointments, and to install or maintain an ignition interlock device. The catch: you can only drive those specific routes, and only if you install an IID in your vehicle.
This law applies mainly to drivers suspended for DUI (driving under the influence) or refusal to take a chemical test. If you were suspended for other reasons — unpaid tickets, failure to appear in court, or reckless driving — this law does not explore to you, and you will need to explore other options to restore your license.
Key Takeaways
- California allows a restricted license for DUI suspensions if you install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle at your own cost.
- A restricted license lets you drive only to work, school, court, medical care, and to service the IID — not for personal errands or socializing.
- You must request the restricted license from the Department of Motor Vehicles; it is not automatic, and you pay a fee to get it.
- The IID stays in your vehicle for a set period determined by your conviction or suspension length, typically six months to three years.
- If you are suspended for reasons other than DUI or refusal, this law does not help, and you must pay fines or resolve the underlying issue instead.
Who Qualifies for a Restricted License Under This Law
You can request a restricted license if your suspension is for a DUI conviction or for refusing a chemical test (breath, blood, or urine). The law applies whether this is your first offense or a repeat offense. However, there are limits based on when your suspension began and how long it lasts.
If your suspension is for 120 days or less, you may request a restricted license when ready. If your suspension is longer than 120 days, you must wait out the first 30 days before you can request one. For example, if you received a six-month suspension, you would wait 30 days, then request the restricted license for the remaining five months.
You do not may have access to if your suspension is for unpaid fines, failure to appear in court, reckless driving, or accumulating too many points. In those cases, you must resolve the underlying issue — pay the fines, appear in court, or wait out the suspension period — before your license is restored.
How to Request a Restricted License From the DMV
You request a restricted license directly from the California Department of Motor Vehicles. You can do this in person at a DMV office, by mail, or through the DMV website if you have an online account. You will need to provide your driver's license number, proof of the suspension (usually a notice from the DMV or court), and proof that you have scheduled an IID installation or have already installed one.
The DMV charges a fee for the restricted license, which varies but is typically between $100 and $200. You also pay for the IID installation and monthly monitoring, which usually costs $60 to $150 per month depending on the vendor. These costs are your responsibility; the state does not cover them.
Processing time is usually two to four weeks by mail or in person. If you explore online through your DMV account, you may receive approval faster. Once approved, the DMV will mail you a restricted license that clearly states the routes and purposes you are allowed to drive for.
What an Ignition Interlock Device Is and How It Works
An ignition interlock device is a small machine installed in your vehicle that measures your breath alcohol level before the engine will start. You blow into the device, and if it detects no alcohol or alcohol below the legal limit, the engine starts. If it detects alcohol, the engine will not start, and the device records the failed attempt.
You must use the IID every time you drive, including for short trips. The device also requires rolling retests — random breath tests while you are driving — to prevent you from having someone else blow into it before you start. If you fail a retest or tamper with the device, it records the violation, and the monitoring company reports it to the DMV.
The IID stays in your vehicle for the length of time ordered by the court or set by the DMV, typically six months to three years depending on your conviction. Once that period ends, you can have the device removed by a certified installer, and the DMV will restore your full driving privileges.
How Long You Must Use an Ignition Interlock Device
The length of time you must use an IID depends on your conviction and whether this is a repeat offense. For a first DUI conviction, the court typically orders six months of IID use. For a second DUI within ten years, the order is usually one year. For a third or subsequent DUI, it is often two to three years.
If you were suspended for refusing a chemical test rather than being convicted of DUI, the length may differ. The DMV notice you received when your license was suspended will state how long the suspension lasts; the IID requirement usually matches that length, but you should confirm with the DMV or your attorney.
You cannot remove the device early, even if you have not driven much or had no violations. The monitoring company and DMV track the installation date, and the device will not be certified for removal until the full period has passed. Once it is removed, you must return to the DMV to restore your full license.
What Routes and Purposes You Can Drive For
A restricted license under California's IID law limits you to specific routes and purposes. You can drive to and from work or school, to and from court-ordered programs or appointments, to medical or dental appointments, and to the IID installer or monitoring location. You cannot drive for personal errands, socializing, shopping, or any other purpose not listed on your restricted license.
The DMV will list your work address, school address, and other approved locations on the license itself. If you change jobs or need to add a new location, you must request an updated restricted license from the DMV. Driving outside these approved routes or for unapproved purposes is a violation and can result in additional charges or loss of the restricted license.
Some employers and schools may be far from your home, which can make a restricted license difficult to use in practice. If your situation makes the approved routes impractical, you can ask the DMV or court about other options, though the law does not may provide alternatives.
What Happens If You Violate the Restricted License Terms
If you drive outside the approved routes, drive for an unapproved purpose, or fail an IID breath test, the monitoring company reports the violation to the DMV. The DMV can suspend your restricted license, which means you lose even the limited driving privileges you had. You would then be unable to drive at all until the suspension is lifted or your full license is restored.
Repeated violations or tampering with the IID can also result in criminal charges. Driving with a suspended license — even a restricted one that has been suspended — is a misdemeanor in California and can lead to fines, jail time, and a longer suspension.
If you receive a violation notice, contact the DMV when ready to understand what happened and what your options are. Some violations may be correctable; others may require you to wait out the suspension period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to install an ignition interlock device to get a restricted license?
Yes. California's law requires an IID as a condition of the restricted license for DUI suspensions. You cannot get the restricted license without one, and you must pay for installation and monthly monitoring yourself. The device must be installed by a certified vendor approved by the DMV.
Can I get a full license back before the IID period ends?
No. The IID period is set by the court or DMV and cannot be shortened. Once the period ends and the device is removed, you can request that the DMV restore your full license, which usually happens within a few weeks.
What if I cannot afford the ignition interlock device?
The law does not provide financial information for IID costs. Some vendors offer payment plans, and you can contact local legal aid organizations to ask whether they know of any programs that help with these expenses. Without the device, you cannot get a restricted license and must wait out the full suspension.
Does this law explore if I was suspended for refusing a breath test?
Yes. Refusal suspensions may have access to for the restricted license and IID requirement under the same rules as DUI convictions. The length of the suspension and IID period may differ slightly, so check your DMV notice for the specific dates.
Can I drive to the grocery store or run errands with a restricted license?
No. A restricted license covers only work, school, court, medical appointments, and the IID installer. Grocery shopping, errands, and social activities are not permitted. Driving for unapproved purposes is a violation and can result in loss of the restricted license.